Lilly Library Manuscript Collections

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DREISER MSS.

The Dreiser mss., 1931, consist of manuscripts and
realia of Theodore Dreiser, 1871-1945. Dreiser was born the twelfth of thirteen
children in Terre Haute, IN and attended Indiana University in Bloomington briefly
before dropping out in 1890. He married Sara White in 1898, and they separated
in 1909 although never formally divorced. Dreiser became a renowned author of
literary naturalism (other American writers in the movement included Jack
London, Edith Wharton, Frank Norris, and Stephen Crane). His best known novels
are Sister Carrie (although a commercial failure at the time in 1900), Jeannie
Gerhardt (1911), and An American Tragedy (1925). Politically,
Dreiser was involved in socialist causes and wrote a non-fiction book, Dreiser
Looks at Russia (1928), based on his experiences visiting the Soviet Union.
He did not officially join the American Communist Party until shortly before
his death in 1945.

Dawn: An Autobiography of Early Youth, Dreiser's
memoir of his difficult childhood and adolescence in Indiana, was written from 1912-1915
but ultimately suppressed by the author, who came to have misgivings about the blunt
quality of the work, especially his own depiction of teen sexuality.

The collection includes the various stages of Dreiser's
writing of Dawn: a holograph manuscript; a first rough draft; and a typescript.
The three drafts are divided into eight green-cloth folding cases. Also in the
collection is the Theodore Dreiser death mask.

For more information about this collection and any related materials contact the
Public Services Department, Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405.
Call (812) 855-2452 or send an email using our Ask a Question form.